SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt — Answering Arab skepticism, President Bush promised today to stay engaged in pulling Israelis and Palestinians toward a peace pact by the end of his term.

The president, on the last stop of his eight-day Mideast trip, got a boost from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. A top Arab ally to Bush, Mubarak said he would work hand-in-hand with the U.S. on a deal to create an independent Palestinian state.

"When I say I'm coming back to stay engaged, I mean it," said Bush, who has committed to returning to the region in May. "When I say I'm optimistic we can get a deal done, I mean what I'm saying."

In comments summing up his trip, Bush also expressed support for the U.S.-backed government in Lebanon, gently urged further political reforms in Egypt, and praised the Iraqi government for recent steps toward reconciliation among the Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds.

Mubarak said he stressed in his talks with Bush that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is at the core of problems and turmoil in the Middle East. Bush has expressed a desire to reach an agreement before he leaves office in January 2009.

"I also said that I wish that he will reach a peace agreement before the end of his term," Mubarak said, through a translator.

"We are keen on supporting peace efforts," Mubarak said. "We are ready, hand-in-hand with the United States of America," and others to work for the "sake of a comprehensive and just peace, to put an end to this Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to open new horizons for the Middle East for a more peaceful and secure future."

Bush said he is convinced that leaders in both Israel and the West Bank are committed to a two-state solution.

"I know nations in the neighborhood are willing to help, particularly yourself," Bush told Mubarak.

Standing alongside Mubarak, Bush urged greater political openness in Egypt, but did not directly criticize the Egyptian government for what the U.S. sees as a lack of political freedoms. Bush praised Egypt for taking some steps toward democratic reform, but said more was needed.

"I'm absolutely confident that people in the Middle East are working on building a society based on justice," Bush said.